The innovative dual joystick controls and unprecedented gameplay mechanics of KARATE DOU caused a big impact in the arcade scene of the time. The sequel (released only a month later) introduced the much anticipated Player V.S. Player mode along a whole new story premise, and some relevant gameplay enhancements like a much improved CPU AI as well as better control and hit detection.

■STORY

The game puts you in the role of a Karateka who must confront his long-time rival for the love of the world's most beautiful heroines.However, for their fight to be considered honorable, both challengers will have to follow the strict rules of Karate Kumite.

■HAJIME !

The gameplay in TAISEN KARATE DOU is all about precision and timing, as any technique that lands successfully in one of the competitors will result in a knockdown.

If you hit your rival with any regular technique, you'll be awarded a half point (Waza Ari). If you counter or use a high-risk technique, you'll be given a full point (Ippon). You need two full points to win a round, though the highest score possible is two and a half. You can also win a round by decision. That is if you can maintain a score advantage over your rival until the round time limit runs out.

In the 1P game the main thing you should know is that the judge will always be against you! If the round time limit runs out and both competitors end up with the same amount of points, the judge will always side with the CPU (ironically in the 2P game the judge will always favour the 1P side). Moreover you must win two rounds to clear a stage and move on to the next one. While in contrast the game will be over if you lose a single round.

■TECHNIQUE INFORMATION

● Technique Chart :

※When facing right. If facing left, reverse the left/right controls.

● Technique Score Value :

FRONT KICK / MIDDLE REVERSE PUNCH : 100, 200 PTS

ROUND KICK : 400, 800, 1000 PTS

LOW KICK : 100, 200, 400 PTS

BACK KICK : 200, 400 PTS

BACK ROUND KICK : 500, 1000 PTS

FRONT / BACK FOOT SWEEP : 200, 400 PTS

JUMPING SIDE KICK : 500, 1000 PTS

JUMPING BACK KICK 500, 1000 PTS

MIDDLE LUNGE PUNCH : 100, 200 PTS

SQUATTING REVERSE LUNGE PUNCH : 400, 800 PTS

UPPER /LUNGE PUNCH : 300, 400, 500, 600, 1000 PTS

100 - 500PTS : Half Point600 - 1000PTS : Full Point

■WORLD TOUR CHALLENGE !

Throughout the game you will get to fight in 12 different locations around the world.

As usual the CPU will start weak and permissive, but will get drastically more challenging along the way. Most notably, starting from stage 11 your rival will gain a noticeable speed advantage over your character that will make him even more difficult to beat.

After clearing the 12 available stages you will get into the second stage loop where the CPU will continue getting faster and more deadly until it becomes just to difficult to overcome.

Of course by this point the game should be considered formally cleared, so any extra points or playing time you can get after the initial 12 stages will be just a bonus.

Since the game lacks a continue option, you really can't afford to make any mistakes during a match or you'll get sent all the way back to the first stage. However, unlike a great majority of arcade games from the early '80s which also lacked any continue option. TAISEN KARATE DOU actually gives players of a decent enough playing skill a fair chance to clear the game.

■BONUS GAME CHALLENGE !

After each stage you will have the chance to play 3 different bonus games that can drastically increase your score.● BONUS GAME 1 : OBJECT BREAKING

5 miscellaneous objects will be thrown at you from both sides and you must break them using the appropriate techniques.

・Object Value : 200PTS

・Perfect Score : 2000PTS

● BONUS GAME 2 : BOARD BREAKING

In this bonus game you must break a stack of 10 boards with a single strike. To do so you must push the right joystick as your character jumps right next to the board stand.

・Board Value : 100PTS

・Perfect Score : 2000PTS

● BONUS GAME 3 : BULL FIGHTING

3 raging bulls will be charging at you from the right, left and right sides respectively. Stop them with a well-timed Squatting Reverse Lunge Punch or Back Kick!

・Bull Value : 1000PTS, 2000PTS, 3000PTS

・Perfect Score : 6000PTS!!

■COMPLETE YOUR BISHOUJO COLLECTION !

12 lovely bishoujos from all over the world are waiting for you! And each one will be worth 500PTS! Can you get them all?